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Sells SN, Podruzny KM, Nowak JJ, Smucker TD, Parks TW, Boyd DK, Nelson AA, Lance NJ, Inman RM, Gude JA, Bassing SB, Loonam KE, Mitchell MS. Integrating basic and applied research to estimate carnivore abundance. Ecol Appl 2022; 32:e2714. [PMID: 36184581 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A clear connection between basic research and applied management is often missing or difficult to discern. We present a case study of integration of basic research with applied management for estimating abundance of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Montana, USA. Estimating wolf abundance is a key component of wolf management but is costly and time intensive as wolf populations continue to grow. We developed a multimodel approach using an occupancy model, mechanistic territory model, and empirical group size model to improve abundance estimates while reducing monitoring effort. Whereas field-based wolf counts generally rely on costly, difficult-to-collect monitoring data, especially for larger areas or population sizes, our approach efficiently uses readily available wolf observation data and introduces models focused on biological mechanisms underlying territorial and social behavior. In a three-part process, the occupancy model first estimates the extent of wolf distribution in Montana, based on environmental covariates and wolf observations. The spatially explicit mechanistic territory model predicts territory sizes using simple behavioral rules and data on prey resources, terrain ruggedness, and human density. Together, these models predict the number of packs. An empirical pack size model based on 14 years of data demonstrates that pack sizes are positively related to local densities of packs, and negatively related to terrain ruggedness, local mortalities, and intensity of harvest management. Total abundance estimates for given areas are derived by combining estimated numbers of packs and pack sizes. We estimated the Montana wolf population to be smallest in the first year of our study, with 91 packs and 654 wolves in 2007, followed by a population peak in 2011 with 1252 wolves. The population declined ~6% thereafter, coincident with implementation of legal harvest in Montana. Recent numbers have largely stabilized at an average of 191 packs and 1141 wolves from 2016 to 2020. This new approach accounts for biologically based, spatially explicit predictions of behavior to provide more accurate estimates of carnivore abundance at finer spatial scales. By integrating basic and applied research, our approach can therefore better inform decision-making and meet management needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Sells
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | | | | | - Ty D Smucker
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Great Falls, Montana, USA
| | - Tyler W Parks
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Diane K Boyd
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Kalispell, Montana, USA
| | | | | | | | - Justin A Gude
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Helena, Montana, USA
| | - Sarah B Bassing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kenneth E Loonam
- Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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Gude JA, DeCesare NJ, Proffitt KM, Sells SN, Garrott RA, Rangwala I, Biel M, Coltrane J, Cunningham J, Fletcher T, Loveless K, Mowry R, O'Reilly M, Rauscher R, Thompson M. Demographic uncertainty and disease risk influence climate‐informed management of an alpine species. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Justin A. Gude
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 1420 East 6th Avenue Helena MT 59620 USA
| | | | - Kelly M. Proffitt
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 1400 South 19th Street Bozeman MT 59718 USA
| | - Sarah N. Sells
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, 205 Natural Sciences Building, University of Montana Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Robert A. Garrott
- Department of Ecology Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program, Montana State University, 310 Lewis Hall Bozeman MT 59718 USA
| | - Imtiaz Rangwala
- North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center & Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado‐Boulder 4001 Discovery Drive, Suite S340 Boulder CO 80303 USA
| | - Mark Biel
- Glacier National Park P.O. Box 128 West Glacier MT 59936 USA
| | - Jessica Coltrane
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 490 North Meridian Road Kalispell MT 59920 USA
| | - Julie Cunningham
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 1400 South 19th Street Bozeman MT 59718 USA
| | - Tammy Fletcher
- U.S. Forest Service, Northern Region Missoula MT 59804 USA
| | - Karen Loveless
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 538 Orea Creek Livingston MT 59047 USA
| | - Rebecca Mowry
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 3201 Spurgin Road Missoula MT 59804 USA
| | - Megan O'Reilly
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2300 Lake Elmo Drive Billings MT 59105 USA
| | - Ryan Rauscher
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 514 South Front Street, Suite C Conrad MT 59425 USA
| | - Michael Thompson
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 3201 Spurgin Road Missoula MT 59804 USA
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Sells SN, Mitchell MS, Podruzny KM, Ausband DE, Emlen DJ, Gude JA, Smucker TD, Boyd DK, Loonam KE. Competition, prey, and mortalities influence gray wolf group size. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N. Sells
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, 205 Natural Sciences Building University of Montana, Missoula Montana 59812 USA
| | - Michael S. Mitchell
- U.S. Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, 205 Natural Sciences Building University of Montana Missoula Montana 59812 USA
| | | | - David E. Ausband
- U.S. Geological Survey, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1141 University of Idaho Moscow Idaho 83844 USA
| | - Douglas J. Emlen
- Division of Biological Sciences University of Montana Missoula Montana 59812
| | - Justin A. Gude
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks 1420 E. 6th St. Helena MT 59620
| | - Ty D. Smucker
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks 4600 Giant Springs Road Great Falls MT 59405
| | - Diane K. Boyd
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks 490 North Meridian Road Kalispell MT 59901
| | - Kenneth E. Loonam
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, 205 Natural Sciences Building University of Montana, Missoula Montana 59812 USA
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Sells SN, Mitchell MS, Ausband DE, Luis AD, Emlen DJ, Podruzny KM, Gude JA. Economical defence of resources structures territorial space use in a cooperative carnivore. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20212512. [PMID: 35016539 PMCID: PMC8753142 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecologists have long sought to understand space use and mechanisms underlying patterns observed in nature. We developed an optimality landscape and mechanistic territory model to understand mechanisms driving space use and compared model predictions to empirical reality. We demonstrate our approach using grey wolves (Canis lupus). In the model, simulated animals selected territories to economically acquire resources by selecting patches with greatest value, accounting for benefits, costs and trade-offs of defending and using space on the optimality landscape. Our approach successfully predicted and explained first- and second-order space use of wolves, including the population's distribution, territories of individual packs, and influences of prey density, competitor density, human-caused mortality risk and seasonality. It accomplished this using simple behavioural rules and limited data to inform the optimality landscape. Results contribute evidence that economical territory selection is a mechanistic bridge between space use and animal distribution on the landscape. This approach and resulting gains in knowledge enable predicting effects of a wide range of environmental conditions, contributing to both basic ecological understanding of natural systems and conservation. We expect this approach will demonstrate applicability across diverse habitats and species, and that its foundation can help continue to advance understanding of spatial behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N. Sells
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Michael S. Mitchell
- US Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - David E. Ausband
- US Geological Survey, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Angela D. Luis
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Douglas J. Emlen
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
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Gallagher CA, Chudzinska M, Larsen-Gray A, Pollock CJ, Sells SN, White PJC, Berger U. From theory to practice in pattern-oriented modelling: identifying and using empirical patterns in predictive models. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:1868-1888. [PMID: 33978325 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
To robustly predict the effects of disturbance and ecosystem changes on species, it is necessary to produce structurally realistic models with high predictive power and flexibility. To ensure that these models reflect the natural conditions necessary for reliable prediction, models must be informed and tested using relevant empirical observations. Pattern-oriented modelling (POM) offers a systematic framework for employing empirical patterns throughout the modelling process and has been coupled with complex systems modelling, such as in agent-based models (ABMs). However, while the production of ABMs has been rising rapidly, the explicit use of POM has not increased. Challenges with identifying patterns and an absence of specific guidelines on how to implement empirical observations may limit the accessibility of POM and lead to the production of models which lack a systematic consideration of reality. This review serves to provide guidance on how to identify and apply patterns following a POM approach in ABMs (POM-ABMs), specifically addressing: where in the ecological hierarchy can we find patterns; what kinds of patterns are useful; how should simulations and observations be compared; and when in the modelling cycle are patterns used? The guidance and examples provided herein are intended to encourage the application of POM and inspire efficient identification and implementation of patterns for both new and experienced modellers alike. Additionally, by generalising patterns found especially useful for POM-ABM development, these guidelines provide practical help for the identification of data gaps and guide the collection of observations useful for the development and verification of predictive models. Improving the accessibility and explicitness of POM could facilitate the production of robust and structurally realistic models in the ecological community, contributing to the advancement of predictive ecology at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara A Gallagher
- Department of Plant Ecology and Conservation Biology, University of Potsdam, Am Mühlenberg 3, Potsdam, 14469, Germany.,Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde, 4000
| | - Magda Chudzinska
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, U.K
| | - Angela Larsen-Gray
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 250 N. Mills St., Madison, WI, 53706, U.S.A
| | | | - Sarah N Sells
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, The University of Montana, 205 Natural Sciences, Missoula, MT, 59812, U.S.A
| | - Patrick J C White
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, 9 Sighthill Ct., Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, U.K
| | - Uta Berger
- Institute of Forest Growth and Computer Science, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01062, Germany
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Sells SN, Mitchell MS, Podruzny KM, Gude JA, Keever AC, Boyd DK, Smucker TD, Nelson AA, Parks TW, Lance NJ, Ross MS, Inman RM. Evidence of economical territory selection in a cooperative carnivore. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210108. [PMID: 33653139 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As an outcome of natural selection, animals are probably adapted to select territories economically by maximizing benefits and minimizing costs of territory ownership. Theory and empirical precedent indicate that a primary benefit of many territories is exclusive access to food resources, and primary costs of defending and using space are associated with competition, travel and mortality risk. A recently developed mechanistic model for economical territory selection provided numerous empirically testable predictions. We tested these predictions using location data from grey wolves (Canis lupus) in Montana, USA. As predicted, territories were smaller in areas with greater densities of prey, competitors and low-use roads, and for groups of greater size. Territory size increased before decreasing curvilinearly with greater terrain ruggedness and harvest mortalities. Our study provides evidence for the economical selection of territories as a causal mechanism underlying ecological patterns observed in a cooperative carnivore. Results demonstrate how a wide range of environmental and social conditions will influence economical behaviour and resulting space use. We expect similar responses would be observed in numerous territorial species. A mechanistic approach enables understanding how and why animals select particular territories. This knowledge can be used to enhance conservation efforts and more successfully predict effects of conservation actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Sells
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, 205 Natural Sciences Building, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Michael S Mitchell
- US Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, 205 Natural Sciences Building, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Kevin M Podruzny
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 1420 E. 6th Street, Helena, MT 59620, USA
| | - Justin A Gude
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 1420 E. 6th Street, Helena, MT 59620, USA
| | - Allison C Keever
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, 205 Natural Sciences Building, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Diane K Boyd
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 490 North Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901, USA
| | - Ty D Smucker
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 4600 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA
| | | | - Tyler W Parks
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 3201 Spurgin Road, Missoula, MT 59804, USA
| | - Nathan J Lance
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 1400 South 19th, Bozeman, MT 59718, USA
| | - Michael S Ross
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 1400 South 19th, Bozeman, MT 59718, USA
| | - Robert M Inman
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 1420 E. 6th Street, Helena, MT 59620, USA
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Mitchell MS, Sells SN, Barker KJ, Bassing SB, Keever AC, Forshee SC, Goerz JW. Testing a priorihypotheses improves the reliability of wildlife research. J Wildl Manage 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. Mitchell
- U.S. Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; Wildlife Biology Program; 205 Natural Sciences Building, University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Sarah N. Sells
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; Wildlife Biology Program, 205 Natural Sciences Building, University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Kristin J. Barker
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; Wildlife Biology Program, 205 Natural Sciences Building, University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Sarah B. Bassing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, 107 Anderson Hall, University of Washington; Seattle WA 98125 USA
| | - Allison C. Keever
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; Wildlife Biology Program, 205 Natural Sciences Building, University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Shannon C. Forshee
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; Wildlife Biology Program, 205 Natural Sciences Building, University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - James W. Goerz
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; Wildlife Biology Program, 205 Natural Sciences Building, University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
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Mitchell MS, Cooley H, Gude JA, Kolbe J, Nowak JJ, Proffitt KM, Sells SN, Thompson M. Distinguishing values from science in decision making: Setting harvest quotas for mountain lions in Montana. WILDLIFE SOC B 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. Mitchell
- U.S. Geological Survey; Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; 205 Natural Sciences Building; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Hilary Cooley
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; University Hall; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Justin A. Gude
- Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; 1420 E 6th Avenue Helena MT 59620 USA
| | - Jay Kolbe
- Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; P.O. Box 527 White Sulphur Springs MT 59645 USA
| | - J. Joshua Nowak
- Wildlife Biology Program; Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences; W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Kelly M. Proffitt
- Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; 1400 S 19th Avenue Bozeman MT 59718 USA
| | - Sarah N. Sells
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; 205 Natural Sciences Building; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Mike Thompson
- Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; 3201 Spurgin Road Missoula MT 59804 USA
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Sells SN, Bassing SB, Barker KJ, Forshee SC, Keever AC, Goerz JW, Mitchell MS. Increased scientific rigor will improve reliability of research and effectiveness of management. J Wildl Manage 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N. Sells
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, 205 Natural Sciences Building, Wildlife Biology Program; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Sarah B. Bassing
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, 205 Natural Sciences Building, Wildlife Biology Program; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Kristin J. Barker
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, 205 Natural Sciences Building, Wildlife Biology Program; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Shannon C. Forshee
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, 205 Natural Sciences Building, Wildlife Biology Program; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Allison C. Keever
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, 205 Natural Sciences Building, Wildlife Biology Program; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - James W. Goerz
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, 205 Natural Sciences Building, Wildlife Biology Program; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Michael S. Mitchell
- U.S. Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, 205 Natural Sciences Building, Wildlife Biology Program; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
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Sells SN, Mitchell MS, Edwards VL, Gude JA, Anderson NJ. Structured decision making for managing pneumonia epizootics in bighorn sheep. J Wildl Manage 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N. Sells
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program; 205 Natural Sciences Building; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Michael S. Mitchell
- U.S. Geological Survey; Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; 205 Natural Sciences Building; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | | | - Justin A. Gude
- Montana Fish; Wildlife and Parks; 1420 East 6th Avenue Helena MT 59620 USA
| | - Neil J. Anderson
- Montana Fish; Wildlife and Parks; 1400 South 19th Bozeman MT 59718 USA
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Sells SN, Mitchell MS, Nowak JJ, Lukacs PM, Anderson NJ, Ramsey JM, Gude JA, Krausman PR. Modeling risk of pneumonia epizootics in bighorn sheep. J Wildl Manage 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N. Sells
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; Wildlife Biology Program, 205 Natural Sciences Building, University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Michael S. Mitchell
- U.S. Geological Survey; Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, 205 Natural Sciences Building, University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - J. Joshua Nowak
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; Wildlife Biology Program, Forestry Building, University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Paul M. Lukacs
- Wildlife Biology Program; Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences; Forestry Building; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Neil J. Anderson
- Montana Fish; Wildlife and Parks; 1400 South 19th Bozeman MT 59718 USA
| | | | - Justin A. Gude
- Montana Fish; Wildlife and Parks; 1420 East 6th Helena MT 59620 USA
| | - Paul R. Krausman
- Wildlife Biology Program; Forestry Building, University of Montana; Missoula MT 59812 USA
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12
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Blickley JL, Word KR, Krakauer AH, Phillips JL, Sells SN, Taff CC, Wingfield JC, Patricelli GL. Experimental chronic noise is related to elevated fecal corticosteroid metabolites in lekking male greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). PLoS One 2012; 7:e50462. [PMID: 23185627 PMCID: PMC3502302 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that individuals in many species avoid areas exposed to chronic anthropogenic noise, but the impact of noise on those who remain in these habitats is unclear. One potential impact is chronic physiological stress, which can affect disease resistance, survival and reproductive success. Previous studies have found evidence of elevated stress-related hormones (glucocorticoids) in wildlife exposed to human activities, but the impacts of noise alone are difficult to separate from confounding factors. Here we used an experimental playback study to isolate the impacts of noise from industrial activity (natural gas drilling and road noise) on glucocorticoid levels in greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species of conservation concern. We non-invasively measured immunoreactive corticosterone metabolites from fecal samples (FCMs) of males on both noise-treated and control leks (display grounds) in two breeding seasons. We found strong support for an impact of noise playback on stress levels, with 16.7% higher mean FCM levels in samples from noise leks compared with samples from paired control leks. Taken together with results from a previous study finding declines in male lek attendance in response to noise playbacks, these results suggest that chronic noise pollution can cause greater sage-grouse to avoid otherwise suitable habitat, and can cause elevated stress levels in the birds who remain in noisy areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Blickley
- Dept of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Karen R. Word
- Dept of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Alan H. Krakauer
- Dept of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Phillips
- Dept of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Sarah N. Sells
- University of Montana, Wildlife Biology Program, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Conor C. Taff
- Dept of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - John C. Wingfield
- Dept of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Gail L. Patricelli
- Dept of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
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